Folding table and storage pocket construction



E. J. CISLER July 14, 1964 FOLDING TABLE AND STORAGE POCKET CONSTRUCTIONFiled Feb. 16, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR. EQTLJCL'SZen BY E. J.CISLER FOLDING TABLE AND STORAGE POCKET CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 16, 19624 Sheets-Sheet 2 FOLDING TABLE AND STORAGE POCKET CONSTRUCTION FiledFeb. 16. 1962 E. J. CISLER July 14, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 6 U R n 2 w t7 w w w m m W 5 r w n 3 WM 1 m M 5 g 1 3 5 8 9 7 a ,5 W L Q w 6J1 I 3/ J3 a- 4 4 ym 3 w v a a Q. lilli 2 4m IHHHUNI ..I-L g 3- fl. 7 w 7 wUnited States Patent 3,140,674 FOLDING -TABLE AND STORAGE POCKETCONSTRUCTION Earl J. Cisler, Two-Rivers, Wis., assignor to HamiltonManufacturing Company, Two Rivers, Wis., a corporation of WisconsinFiled Feb. 16, 1962, Set. No. 173,752 3 Claims. (Cl. 108-413) foldingtable and storagepocket assembly wherein the storage pocket isequipped'to accommodate articles useful in a science classroom, inaddition to'the table when folded. It is still another object of theinvention to'provide a folding table having a mechanism which both locksand adds rigidity to'the table when in the open position.

Further objects and advantages of thepresent invention'willbecome'apparent from the followingdetailed description taken inconjunction withthe accompanying figures of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view'partially in section of the foldingtable and pocket assembly showing the folding table in the openposition;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view'partially in section of the assemblyshowing the table intermediate the open and foldedpositions;

FIG. 3 is a side elevationalview partially in section of the assemblyshowing the table folded into the'storage pocket;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged "view in side elevation of the table;

'FIG. 5 'isa bottom planviewof the table with some parts broken away toshowun'derlyingparts;

FIG. 6 is asectional view taken along theline 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is anenlarged sectional view taken along the line 7-7of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken-along the lineS-S'of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of aportion of the structure shown in FIG. 7and taken on theline 99 of FIG. 7;

FIG/10 is a side elevational-view of the portion shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the storage pocket of theassembly;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1212 ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 13' is. a sectional viewtaken substantially along the line 13-13 ofFIG. 11;. and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a locking mechanism for the table.

Generally, an assembly embodying the invention comprises a folding tableand a storage pocket, the pocket being adapted to store various articlesand the table when folded. The folding table is of the general typedescribed support when the table is in the open position.

air-nit Patented July 14, 1964 ice in the copending US. patentapplication in the name of Claude G. Kanzelberger, Serial No. 138,750,filed September 18, 1961, now Patent No. 3,101,062. The table comprisestwo table top sections positioned in end-to-end horizontal alignmentwhen the table is open, the adjacent ends of the two top sections beinghinged together. The two top sections are supported at their outer endsby two end leg supports and at their adjacent ends by a center legsupport. The center leg support and the adjacent ends of the topsections are movable upwardly to place the top sections in substantiallyvertical and parallel relation when the table is folded.

The table may also include stretcher bars which interconnect the tabletop sections and the end leg supports, equalizing means to maintain thecenter leg support substantially vertical throughout movement betweentheopen and folded positions, counterbalancing means to counterbalance theweight of the table as it ismoved to the open position and to assist inmovement to the folded position, and a plurality of side aprons.

The'table further has a novel open position locking mechanism whichincludes a pair of lock bars. Each lock bar has one end pivotallyconnected to the underside of a; table top section, and means areprovided to releasably'clip the other end of each lock bar to the centerleg These lock bars maintain the table in the open position when clippedto the'center leg support and, in addition, render thetable extremelyrigid when in such open position.

One end of the folding table is provided with means for releasablyconnecting'the folding table to the storage pocket,so that the tablewhen opened may be moved away from the pocket, and when connected thetable is adapted'to be'folded and locked into the storage pocket. Thestorage pocket is further provided with means to store equipment,supplies, etc., access to which is prevented when the table is foldedand locked in the pocket.

Indetail, the folding table, indicated generally at-20, is shown coupledto the storage pocket, indicated generally at 21, in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.1 shows the table in the open position, FIG. 2 shows the table partiallyfolded, and FIG. 3 shows the table completely folded and locked in'thestorage pocket. The table '20, shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4 to 6,comprises two table top sections 22 and 23 supported by two end legsupports '24 andZS and a center leg support 24a. Since the table isprimarily intended for use in a science classroom, the top sections 22and 23 are preferably a reagent-resistant, hollow core type with a blackfinished top. Each of the end leg supports 24 and 25 includes two legs26 that are pivotally connected at their upper ends to channel shapedbrackets 27 whichin turn are secured as by screws to the undersides ofthe table top sections 22 and 23. The bottom ends of the four legs 26receive casters '28, and a cross brace 29 interconnects the two legs 26of each end leg support. The legs'26 of the end leg support 25 arepositioned closer together than the legs 26 of the end leg support24 bypositioning its associated brackets 27 closer together andshortening itscross brace 29. Further, the end leg support 24 is positioned a greaterlongitudinal distance away from the center leg support 25a than the endleg support 25. The purpose of this unbalanced construction will beexplained hereinafter.

The center leg support 25a comprises two legs 30 which are securedtogether by a cross brace 31. The lower end of each leg receives a cup32, preferably made of plastic, and the upper end of each leg 30 ispivotally fastened to a bracket 33. The cups 32 are desirable becausethey frictionally engage the floor when the table is open and resist anytendency of the casters 28 to roll along the floor. Of course, when thetable is partially or completely folded the cups 32 are out ofengagement with the floor and permit easy movement of the table. Eachbracket 33 comprises two channel-shaped sections 34 and 35 hinged toeach other and secured to the underside of the table top sections 22 and23, respectively, the inner ends of the sections having arms and thearms of the sections 34 at the inner ends being closer together than andpositioned between the arms of the sections 35. Washers 37, FIG. 7, arepositioned between the legs 30 and the arms of the sections 34, and pins36 pivotally connect the sections 34 and 35, the washers 37, and thelegs 30.

Equalizing means is also provided to maintain the legs 30 of the centerleg support 25a substantially vertical as the table is moved betweenopen and folded positions. This means comprises a sleeve 38 slidablymounted on each leg 30 and a pair of links 39 for each sleeve. The lowerends of the links 39 are pivotally connected to the sleeves 38 by pins40, FIG. 7, and the upper ends of the links are pivotally connected tothe brackets 33 by pins 41. The upper ends of the links 39 aremaintained substantially at the center of the brackets 33 by U-shapedmembers 42 rigid with the brackets 33.

A third bracket 43, FIGS. 5 and 7, having two pivotally connectedchannel shaped sections 44 and 45 fastened to the underside of the twotable top sections 22 and 23,

respectively, is also provided at substantially the center of the table.A counterbalancing means is mounted on this bracket 43 to counterbalancethe weight of the table when moving to the open position and to assistin movement of the table to the closed position, and comprises ahydraulic cylinder 46 and four links 47. The links 47 are angularlyinclined from the vertical and extend longitudinally of the table, andare pivotally connected at their upper ends to the vertical flanges ofthe channel shaped sections 44 and 45 by pins 48. The lower ends of thelinks 47 are pivotally connected to a pin 49 secured to the bottom ofthe cylinder 46. The cylinder 46 is positioned substantially verticaland has a piston rod 50 pivotally connected to a pin 51 that alsopivotally connects the two sections 44 and 45 of the bracket 43.

The hydraulic cylinder 46 contains a compression spring (not shown)positioned between the bottom of the cylinder and its piston, andinternal air porting (not shown). The construction is such that movementof the piston toward the bottom of the cylinder is yieldingly resistedand movement of the piston toward the top of the cylinder is assisted bythe spring. The connections between the table top sections 22 and 23 andthe cylinder 46 are such that the piston moves toward the bottom of thecylinder upon opening movement of the table and the piston moves towardthe top of the cylinder upon folding movement. Therefore, movement ofthe table to the open position is resisted by the spring, therebycounterbalancing the weight of the table, and movement to the foldedposition is assisted by the spring, thereby assisting this movement.

Two longitudinally extending stretcher bars 52 and 53, FIGS. 1, 2 and 4to 6 also connect the end leg supports 24 and 25 to the table topsections 22 and 23. The ends of the stretcher bars 52 and 53 at theouter ends of the table are pivotally connected by pins 54 to U-shapedmembers 55 rigidly secured to the upper side of the two cross braces 29of the respective end leg supports. The stretcher bars are offset fromeach other laterally of the table and cross each other at the center ofthe table. The inner ends of the stretcher bars 52 and 53 are pivotallyfastened to the table top sections 23 and 22, respectively, by channelshaped members 56 and pins 57. Both stretcher bars 52 and 53 are curvedadjacent their inner ends at approximately the center of the table asshown in FIG. 2 so that the inner ends are fiat against the under sideof the table top sections when the table is open. The cross brace 31 ofthe center leg support 26 is flattened at two sections 58 and 59 (FIG.7) to provide clearance for the two stretcher bars 52 and 53 when thetable is moved to its folded position.

The table further includes a mechanism, shown in FIGS. 5 and 14, forreleasably locking the two table top sections 22 and 23 together whenthe table is in the folded position. This mechanism comprises a latchassembly 60 fixed to the underside of the table top sections 22 and astrike 61 fixed to the underside of the table top section 23. The latchassembly 60 comprises a latch member 62, a base 63, a handle 64, atorsion spring 65 and an angle member 66. The base 63 is fixed to thetable top section 22 and has an upstanding portion 67 forming a holethat pivotally receives the handle 64. One end of the handle 64 isrigidly fixed to the latch member 62 and the other end of the handle 64extends through an elongated opening 68 formed in the member 66. Thespring 65 is wound around the handle 64 and engages the latch member 62and the base 63 in such a manner as to urge the latch member 62 in acounterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 14, the latch member 62engaging the base 63 to limit such movement and hold the latch member inposition to engage the strike 61. A hook portion 67 is formed on thelatch member 62 which is adapted to engage the strike 61 fixed to thetable top section 23. When the table is to be locked in the foldedposition, the table top sections 22 and 23 are pushed together causingthe hook portion 69 to engage the strike 61 and lock the table topsections together. To unlock the table for movement to the openposition, the handle 64 is manually swung in the clockwise direction asseen in FIG. 14 until the hook portion 69 disengages the strike 61.

Since the table and pocket assembly is primarily intended for use in ascience classroom or laboratory, it is important that the table beextremely rigid when in the open position. This is necessary to preventmaterials, such as experimental apparatus, placed on the table frombeing disturbed. Therefore, the folding table is further provided with anovel mechanism for locking and adding rigidity to the table when in theopen position. This mechanism comprises two lock bars 70, FIG. 8,pivotally fastened to two channel shaped members 71 by pins 72. Themembers 71 are fixed to the underside of the two table top sections 22and 23 along substantially the longitudinal center line of the table.The lower end of each lock bar 70 is equipped with a plastic plug 73.The overall length of each lock bar 70 is such that, when the table isopen and they are pivoted toward the center leg support 25a, the lowersurface of each plug 73 is adapted to bear against the surface of thecross brace 31.

Apparatus for holding the lock bars 70 against the cross brace 31 isillustrated in detail in FIGS. 8 to 10. It comprises two brackets 74welded to the cross brace 31. Each bracket 74 is fastened to a clip 75by a bolt and nut assembly 76. Each clip has two spring-like sectionswhich can be forced apart to receive the lower ends of the lock bars 70,and the sections are curved to partially encircle and hold the bars 70.The lock bars 70 can be disengaged from the clips 75 simply by applyingenough downward force on the bars 70 to cause the spring-like sectionsto spread apart and release the lock bars. It is apparent that, when thetable is in the open position and the lower ends of the lock bars 70bear against the cross brace 31, upward movement of the center legsupport 2511 of the table is prevented. Further, the lock bars 70provide support for the center of each of the table top sections 22 and23, thereby making the table more sturdy and rigid.

Two pairs of aprons 77 are fastened as by screws along the longitudinalsides of the two table top sections 22 and 23 in horizontal end-to-endrelation. In addition to adding rigidity to the table top sections, thepair of aprons for formed in one end ofonepairofthe aprons 77. The innerends of the rods-78-extend-through holes formed in a U-shapedmember-79andabut opposed sides of a cam member 80. The-U-member 7 9 is fixed tothe underside of the table topsection--2-3-and the cam member 80"isrotatably mounted by-a-pin-81 on the member 79 and has ahandle 82.A'compression-spring 83 is disposed around each rod 78'between-a-sideofthe associated apron 77 and a pin '84'fixed-to-each rod'78. The compression springs 83 urge the rods 78 inwardly against thecam member 80. This cam member is shaped as an ellipse, and is mountedso that either its major axis or its minor axis can be placed in linewith the rods 78. When the major axis is in line with the rods, they areforced outwardly and extend beyond the sides of the table. When the cammember 80 is rotated 90 its minor axis is in line with the rods 78 andthe springs 83 cause the rods 78 to retract toward the cam member.

The storage pocket 21 comprises a top 85, a bottom 86, a back 87 and twosides 88 and 89 (FIGS. 11 to 13) which may be secured together by anydesired means. The pocket 21 has an open front, indicated generally bythe numeral 90. The width of the open front 90 is slightly greater thanthe width of the table top sections 22 and 23, and its height isslightly greater than the length of each table top section. The storagepocket 21 is made suitable for a science laboratory by providing aplurality of slots 92 in the two sides 88 and 89 which may supportshelves 93, and a cabinet 94 having two working surfaces 95 and 96. Theshelves 93 and surfaces 95 and 96 provide storage space for reagents,laboratory apparatus, reference books, etc. and the cabinet 94 is provided with a plurality of openings 98 which may receive gas, electricaland air outlets. A front panel 97 of the cabinet 94 is made removable topermit access to the air and gas lines, etc., and also to permit theinterior of the cabinet 94 to be used for storage space if desired.

The pocket 21 also includes two vertically extending slots 99 formed inthe respective sides 88 and 89 adjacent the open front 90 for thepurpose of coupling the table 20 to the pocket 21. The slots 99 areadapted to receive the outer ends of the rods 78 retractably mounted onthe table 20, and the upper ends of the slots 99 are at least as high asthe height of the rods 78 when the table is open. The table 20 may becoupled to the storage pocket 21 by retracting the rods 78, insertingthe outer end of the table top section 23 into the open front 90 of thepocket and turning the cam member 80 to force the rods 78 outwardly intothe slots 99.

To fold the table 20 into the storage pocket, the table is first coupledto the pocket as explained and the lock bars 70 are disengaged from theclips 75. .The center leg support 25a of the table 20 is then raisedwhich causes the end leg support 24 to move toward the storage pocket.The two end leg supports 24 and 25 and the center leg support 25a aremaintained in substantially vertical positions throughout foldingmovement by the stretcher bars 52 and 53 and the links 50 of theequalizing means. The outer ends of the rods 78 of the couplingmechanism slide downwardly in the slots 99 as the table top sections 22and 23 approach vertical positions. The lower ends 100 of the slots 99formed in the pocket terminate a short distance above the bottom 86 ofthe housing. When the folding movement of the table causes the rods 78to reach these lower ends 100, their downward movement stops and thecasters 28 of the end leg support 25 rise off the floor. The distancebetween the end leg support 25 and the outer end of the table topsection 23 is greater than the overall length of the end leg support 25,while the distance between the end leg support 24 and the outer end ofthe table top section 22 is less than the length of "the end leg support24. Therefore, when the table is nearly folded the castersi28 ofthe endleg support 24 are spaced downwardlyfrorn the lower end of the table topsection 22 and rest on the floor,'while the casters 28 of the end legsupport 25 are'spaced upwardly from the lower end of the table topsection 23.

The finalmovement of the table 20 as it is folded into the. pocket 21causes the center of the bracket 43 of the 'table'to'slide upwardlyintothe opening of an inverted "U-shaped clip 102 secured at the toplofthe housing as shown in FIG. 3. Tworesilient bumpers v103: mounted onthe sides 88'and 89 of the pocket 21 abut the table 'top section 23 andpreventfurther inward'movement.

In the folded condition, the table top sections 22and 23 aresubstantially vertical and the section 22 closes the open front 90 ofthe pocket 21 and prevents access to any materials stored in thehousing. Since the legs 26 of the end leg support 25 are closer togetherthan the legs 26 of the end leg support 24, the two end leg supports donot interfere with each other when the table is folded, therebypermitting the top sections 22 and 23 to be positioned relatively closetogether.

The table 20 may be locked in the pocket 21 when folded by a lockingmechanism that locks the lower end of the housing to one of the aprons77 fastened to the table top section 22. This locking mechanism includesa pin 104, FIGS. 11 and 13, rotatably mounted on the side 89 of thepocket. This pin 104 can be rotated through an angle of at least 90 byinserting a key (not shown) into a keyway 105 formed in the pin 104. Atongue 106 is formed on the pin 104 perpendicular to the axis of the pin104, and an opening 107, FIG. 11, is formed on the inside of the wall89, which permits the tongue 106 to project into the interior of thepocket a short distance when the pin 104 is rotated. Another slot 108,FIG. 4, is formed in the side of the apron 77 that is adjacent the pin104 when the table is folded, and the tongue 106 has sufficient lengthto project into the apron slot 108 and effectively lock the lower end ofthe table 20 to the pocket. With the table top section 22 closing theopen front 90 and locked to the pocket, unauthorized access to andtampering with materials in the pocket is prevented.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that a novel and usefulfolding table and storage pocket assembly has been provided for use in ascience laboratory or classroom. The table when in the open position maybe used either in coupled relation to the storage pocket or it may becompletely detached so that the table and the pocket may be usedseparately. The table, in addition, has novel means for locking it inthe open position, the locking means also acting to add strength andrigidity to the table so that scientific apparatus on the table is noteasily tipped over or otherwise disturbed. The pocket has importantadvantages in that it can store scientific equipment and supplies inaddition to the table. When the table is in the open position theequipment and supplies are readily available for use and when the tableis folded into the pocket and locked, the table prevents access to them.

I claim:

1. A folding table convertible between open and folded positions,comprising a pair of end leg supports and a center leg support, a pairof table top sections pivotally mounted on said end and center legsupports, said supports being operable to position said top sections inendto-end horizontal relation when said table is in said open positionand in substantially vertical and parallel relation when said table isin said folded position, a lock bar having one end pivotally connectedto the underside of each of said table top sections between said centerleg support and said end leg supports, a cross brace for said center legsupport, each of said lock bars being pivotable longitudinally of saidtable toward said center leg support and having a length such that theunconnected end of each of said lock bars is operable to bear againstsaid cross brace when said table is in said open position,

.cross brace, each of said clips being adapted to partially encircle oneof said lock bars.

3. A folding table as in claim 1, wherein said lock bars are connectedto said table top sections on substantially the longitudinal center lineof said table, whereby said lock bars provide support for the centralportions of said table top sections when said table is in said openposition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Vaneket a1. Aug. 18, Bolles Oct. 18, Bennett Jan. 19, Schieber Sept. 27,Schieber June 4, Mugler Aug. 25, Schieber Jan. 15, Blink Sept. 24, JamesOct. 29, Foote et a1. Sept. 4,

1. A FOLDING TABLE CONVERTIBLE BETWEEN OPEN AND FOLDED POSITIONS,COMPRISING A PAIR OF END LEG SUPPORTS AND A CENTER LEG SUPPORT, A PAIROF TABLE TOP SECTIONS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID END AND CENTER LEGSUPPORTS, SAID SUPPORTS BEING OPERABLE TO POSITION SAID TOP SECTIONS INENDTO-END HORIZONTAL RELATION WHEN SAID TABLE IS IN SAID OPEN POSITIONAND IN SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL AND PARALLEL RELATION WHEN SAID TABLE ISIN SAID FOLDED POSITION, A LOCK BAR HAVING ONE END PIVOTALLY CONNECTEDTO THE UNDERSIDE OF EACH OF SAID TABLE TOP SECTIONS BETWEEN SAID CENTERLEG SUPPORT AND SAID END LEG SUPPORTS, A CROSS BRACE FOR SAID CENTER LEGSUPPORT, EACH OF SAID LOCK BARS BEING PIVOTABLE LONGITUDINALLY OF SAIDTABLE TOWARD SAID CENTER LEG SUPPORT AND HAVING A LENGTH SUCH THAT THEUNCONNECTED END OF EACH OF SAID LOCK BARS IS OPERABLE TO BEAR AGAINSTSAID CROSS BRACE WHEN SAID TABLE IS IN SAID OPEN POSITION, AND CLIPMEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CROSS BRACE FOR RELEASABLY ENGAGING AND HOLDINGSAID LOCK BARS.